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Tackle Tips

How about a thread for random tackle tips that don't normally get covered? Ask a question and give a random tip if you can. For starters, there are two questions I haven't been able to find satisfactory answers on.

1. The best way to get that %&$#* overpaint out of the eyes on jigheads. Nothing sucks more than getting on some fish, losing your jighead and then realize your going to be futzing around digging the paint out of the eye while the fish find elsewhere to go.
2. The best way to find replacement hooks when swapping out trebles for single hooks on lures for those of us that don't have a lot of experimentation time. (Weight, size?)

My tip would be to zip tie pieces of pool noodle somewhere on your yak where can store frequently used lures without having to mess with a tackle box. I would recommend putting it in plain sight. Reaching back and grabbing a handful of hooks is never pleasant!

I like your idea to use foam to hold lures. If I take a lure off, I don't put it back in my Plano tackle box. I toss it on the deck of my kayak which of course could cause problems if I'm not careful. When I get home I rinse it with fresh water and let it dry before returning it to its box. Sticking it in foam would be wiser.

Regarding paint in jig-eyes, my line clippers have a small pick to jab through the paint. I never use it, though. I make my own jigs and before they go in my tackle box I pierce them with any old hook I find lying on my tying table.

For in-line hooks, you can find several conversion charts on-line. Here's one:

I don't have one. But if I did, it's not something I would carry on my kayak. I'd use it before I placed the jigs into my tackle box.

Again, any sturdy, sharp object with a small diameter will pierce the paint.

I have the tool that Mark shows above. Although I carry it in my tackle tray, I typically use it at home to open the eyes on a batch of jigheads before adding them to my working tackle tray. On the water, I would typically take a second jighead and use it's hook to open the eye on the new lure. Different types of paint can be easy or hard to knock out from the eyes. The tool listed above does not work when the paint is very hard (the thin prong on the tool bends).